Headlines
'Thanks to PM Modi', says Navy veteran after reaching home in Kerala from Qatar jail
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 13
Ragesh Gopakumar, one of the eight Indians who were recently released from a jail in Qatar, cannot stop thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Gopakumar returned to his home in the suburbs of the state capital city at Balaramapuram after spending 18 months in jail.
He was one of the eight former Indian Defence personnel, who were previously sentenced to death by a court in Qatar. But following massive diplomatic efforts at the highest level between the two countries all of them were set free and got back to India on Monday.
“I just cannot express my happiness on how and what I feel now after getting back home. Am hugely thankful to Modiji, the Emir of Qatar, the team of the External Affairs and the staff of the Indian Embassy in Qatar for making this happen,” said Gopakumar, a former Indian Naval senior sailor.
The Qatar court on Monday released all eight former Indian Defence personnel from its custody, out of which seven have returned to India.
All the eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company were detained in Qatar. Earlier, the capital punishment for the jailed Indian Navy veterans was commuted to an extended prison term after diplomatic talks between Qatar and India.
The eight Indian nationals were imprisoned in Qatar in October 2022 after being accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme.
The Indian nationals were deemed guilty of espionage by the Qatari court, and were sentenced to death on charges not yet made public.
The Dahra Global case saw a major development last year when the court in Qatar commuted the death sentence of the Indian nationals after intervention by the Indian government. The sentence was reduced to jail terms.
6 hours ago
US sanctions 2 Indians for alleged ties with Houthis
7 hours ago
Canadian police runs for cover after making baseless allegations against India
7 hours ago
Biden calls Sinwar's death a 'good day', 'opportunity' for talks
7 hours ago
Israel confirms it has eliminated Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar
15 hours ago
US elections: 'Donald Trump unfit to serve, unstable, dangerous,' says Kamala Harris
15 hours ago
"Big win for Indian narrative": Canadian journalist on Trudeau's statement on Nijjar killing
15 hours ago
US launches precision strikes on underground weapons storage facilities in Houthi-controlled Yemen
15 hours ago
Individual named in US indictment in Pannun case "no longer employee of Indian government," confirms MEA
16 hours ago
We are satisfied with cooperation: US after meeting with India's Inquiry Committee over "assassination" plot of Pannun
16 hours ago
Harris defends Biden Administration's immigration policies, vows strengthened action if voted into power
18 hours ago
In 'dry' Bihar, illicit liquor available without stop: Priyanka Gandhi on hooch deaths
18 hours ago
Railways reduces time limit for advance ticket booking from 120 to 60 days
18 hours ago
Rahul Gandhi meets representatives of Valmiki community, offers prayers at Valmiki temple in Delhi